The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-04
CITY GOVERN m EMIT.
SpeciaT Meeting Of the Board Of
Mayor and Aldermen.

A special meeting of the Board of Mayor
and Aldermen was called yesterday after
noon at o'clock. Mayor Chapman presided
and after calling the meeting to order said:
81 will state that this meeting was called at
the request of the Horse Railroad Company
to make some statements in regard to the
construction of the double track on Congress
street. | understand that some little dis
agreement exists between the company and
the street commissioner as to how far the
double track shall extend"
Mr.. Briggs, chairman of the committee on
streets, said: II have no statement to make,
there has been no official statement Of the
street commissioner in regard to the matter
The street commissioner reported to me that
if the double track was continued it would
leave the street in a very bad condition"
Mr.. Libby appeared for the Horse Rail
road Company. He said: understand that
the Horse Railroad Company were ordered
to stop work on the double track this MORN
ing. The company understood that they
were to proceed so long as the work was
satisfactory to the street commissioner. The
company was told to stop work on the
double track because it injured the grade of
the street. 1t was shown at the time that
the grade was not good. If for any reason
the city is not able, at present, TO construct
the grade it had better be left until the COM
pany and the city can take hold together
We did not understand why the order was
given for our workmen to stop, and If there
was any misunderstanding it was thought
that it was on the part of the city.
The order was given by the street commits
sioner, who said he was acting under the
direction of the committee. All the COM
pany want is to extend the double track
around the curve from Weymouth street to
Ellsworth street so that cars going in differ
ent directions may be in sight Of each other.
As there was some difference in the under
standing it was thought that by an inter-
change Of views it might be learned just
what is required. 1t seems very desirable,
unless there is some very serious difficulty,
that the work should continue. The COM
pany wish to carry the track up over the
hill. We were told that this could be done
If the company would bear the expense Of
grading the street, turing the terrace, ETC.,
but did not see why this expense should be
assumed by the company. The company is
willing to do with the city what Is right, and
/ will venture TO say that it will share the
of S7C0."
Mayor Chapman asked If the gentleman
who represented the Horse Railroad COM
pany would state just what the road desired.
Mr.. Libby said: TO extend the track over
the hill as they were given permission to-"
Alderman Smith said he would like to hear
from the committee on streets, and the chair
man, Mr.. Briggs, said that he stated to the
company that he, as member Of the Board,
would object to the extension of the track
and gave his reasons for 50 doing, Because
the street is very sideling, and If another
track was laid it would make it moresso. He
said that he went with the Street Commits
sioner, and agreed with him that the work
should be stopped, and If the Board Of May
or and Aldermen should visit the place it
was his opinion that they would agree with
him. He said the cost OF properly grading
| the street would be between $500 and $500.
At the request of Alderman Smith, the or
| der authorizing the company to lay double
| track was read Dy the clerk. The order was
passed June 18th, and authorized the Horse
| Railroad Company to lay double track at
| the disputed place, subject to the approval of
| the Street Commissioner. Mr.. Smith thought
that the difficulty SHOULD be settled, as it was
| a matter of great Importance.
| Mr.. Briggs said that he didn't think It best
| to allow double track to be laid down the
| hill because it left but very narrow passage
| for teams, as well as injuring the grade.
Mr. Wood spoke for the Horse Railroad
OOHlpduy. he odlu LudI MT. LlDDy uldue
| the statement that the company would share
the expense TO the extent of grading the
| streets without consulting any member of
| the company. And. although he thought it
| too mu III to demand of the company, he
| would uphold Mr.. Libby in the statement.
Alderman Smith thought that the laying
| of the track in that part of the city had in
creased the valuation of the property, and
| that If the city did do the grading the money
expended would not amount to the increased
taxation. He thought the double track was
| a good thing and great accommodation tC
/ the citizens Of Portland.
| Alderman Marks offered an order that
| provided the Horse Railroad Company
| should share the expense to the extent OF
$7C0 in reconstructng the grade between
Vaughan and Ellsworth streets, the street
commissioner be directed to proceed will
the work at once, that it might be accom-
plished this fall, and the laying Of the tracl
completed. The order was passed.
Mayor Chapman appointed Edward Car
| billie as special policeman and no other bus
iness coming before the board, the meeting
adjourned.